For a moment, I stare at my father, lost for words because I understand the implications of that. The ocean is a vast burial ground, and we must face the possibility that Alice Zaferelli is currently floating somewhere between Europe and the United States of America, and it’s already game over.
44
ROSE
Ifelt so at ease with Julius’s parents. We had an amazing lunch, and I enjoyed their company. Even his father’s, despite the fact he terrified me. It was probably because he was not unlike my own which I found strangely comforting.
Now we are home, and Julius is brooding on something, and as we head into the house, I’m surprised at how at home I am already.
“Come, I could use a drink.”
He grasps my hand and we head into the cinema room, and as he fixes the drinks, I gaze at him while perched on one of the bar stools.
“You’re quiet, baby.”
“I have a lot on my mind.”
“Does it involve me?” I’m nervous about that, and he nods, which doesn’t help.
“There is still no word on your sisters except for the youngest one.”
“Tiffany.”
My anxiety surfaces, and he nods. “Tiffany is refusing to leave the convent.”
If anything, that makes me laugh because it’s so typical of her and is actually not a bad thing. At least she is safe, but my thoughts turn to Alice and from the expression on Julius’s face, I’m not going to like what he tells me.
“I need to ask you a question, Rose, and I don’t want to alarm you, but if you were in danger, or troubled in any way, where would you head for outside of the convent?”
“She’s missing then.”
I’m not stupid and Julius confirms my fears with his expression alone.
My heart churns and my pulse spikes as I face the terrible realization that Alice may be in danger.
“Think Rose. Is there anything that may help locate her.”
“Outside of the convent, I don’t know.”
My mind is racing, frantic and desperate, and I swallow hard, accepting the champagne that Julius has poured into a glass.
I try so hard as the memories resurface, but I draw a blank. I don’t know where she would go and wish like crazy I could help.
“Tell me about Alice.”
Julius sits beside me and lays a comforting hand on my leg, and I smile.
“Alice is the eldest only by eighteen months because it wasn’t long after her mom died that mine was already wearing my father’s ring.”
“How did she die?”
“A car accident. She was on the mountain road and her car spun off down the gorge. The car exploded on impactand her body was only identified through her dental records.”
My mind is racing as Rose adds, “Alice grew up never accepting it. She always believed our father was lying to her. She liked to imagine her mother was alive and had merely staged the accident and nothing we said could convince her otherwise.”
“So, she may have gone in search of answers?”
“It’s possible, but why? She would need somebody to help her, surely. I mean, we have no money to survive long-term on our own and Alice may be fearless in some ways, but not in others. She might be in danger out there on her own, and yet, if you want my opinion, it’s that. She has taken the opportunity to play detective. It can be the only explanation unless–”
